Kukla's Korner Hockey

Nobody, but nobody in the hockey world would blame the Detroit Red Wings if they went quietly into the night on Saturday. Technically, they would go quietly into the afternoon, but you get the idea.

The NHL does not hold an Everyone Gets a Trophy Banquet at the end of the season, so it’s unlikely the Red Wings will be rewarded for everything they’ve endured in 2013-14, a season that looks as though it will come to an end in Game 5 of their first-round series Saturday afternoon at the TD Garden in Boston. (Then again, this team is like Jason in the Friday the 13th movies. Just when you think they’re finally dead, they stagger up with that hockey mask on to wreak more havoc on their opponents.)

Actually, Game 4 of the series, won 3-2 by Boston in overtime, was a microcosm of the series. Detroit started well then flagged and was worn down and ultimately outclassed by a bigger, better, younger and much healthier team. For this, the Red Wings have no reason to hang their heads in shame. There’s considerable reason to doubt whether the Red Wings at their best and healthiest would have been able to handle this Bruins team in a best-of-seven series. But as they’re currently constituted, they shouldn’t, and don’t, stand a chance.